Seen here in March 1948 and now in British Railways livery 6003, " King George IV " still retains the original Great Western Railway design of rounded inside valve chest casing although a squared design with a treaded top plate was being fitted as a replacement from about this time as and when the " Kings " went through Swindon Works.
6003 was destined to be a true London engine, being allocated to Old Oak Common from new in July 1927 for no less than thirty five years.
When steam rostered top link workings diminished at Old Oak in 1960 six of their " Kings " were reallocated to Cardiff Canton that September, with 6003 being one of them, and they found themselves working from Cardiff principally on Paddington and Shrewsbury workings, those initial six being joined by 6024 the following year.
Their brief spell at Canton came to an end in early 1962 upon the introduction of the " Hymek " Diesels, and 6003 was sent back to Old Oak that January from where it was later condemned in late June, 1962.